Yujian Zhu in recital, solo flute

Performed by Yujian Zhu, solo flute.

Yujian Zhu, born on 27 September 1988 in Guiyang, Guizhou, China, is an established flautist, teacher and author, currently based in Chengdu, in Sichuan province. His musical training began at the secondary music school attached to the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, from which he graduated in July 2007. He continued at the same institution, taking a master's degree in flute in 2014 under Ji Zhu. Eager to broaden his knowledge, Yujian went on to study abroad: in July 2015 he took a second master's in flute at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland) with Professor Mario Ancillotti, and his training was further enriched by masterclasses in Germany, Italy, Japan and Hungary and by a third master's degree at the University of Agder (Norway) in the class of Professor Jørn Eivind Schau, completed in June 2022. Alongside his studies he has pursued a teaching career. Since December 2014 he has taught at his alma mater, the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China, where he teaches flute and chamber ensemble to university and high-school students. From September 2016 to December 2019 he also played in the Sichuan Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. Since September 2021 he has taught in Europe as well, at the Aimart International Academy of Music and Arts in Rome. Yujian Zhu has won numerous prizes at international competitions. In 2021 alone he took first prize at the Golden Classical Music Award in New York and at the King's Peak International Music Competition in the United States. The following year he won first prize in both the classical and contemporary categories at the Bach International Music Competition, gold in the professional and romantic categories at the Manchester International Music Competition (where he also won the special prize for outstanding technique), and gold in the professional, concerto and wind categories at the 5th Universal Stars Music Competition (including two special prizes, “All Stars” and “Grand Prize”). His teaching has also been recognised at various cultural events, among them the “Excellent Instructor Award” at the 4th Macau International Flute Festival and Young Artist Competition and the Sichuan Conservatory of Music's “Top Talent” programme for 2021-2022. Besides performing and teaching, Yujian is active as an academic author. With his father he wrote the textbook Learning to Play the Flute – It's Easy!, published by the Shanghai Music Publishing House in May 2012. His articles on pedagogy and arts education have appeared in journals such as Advances in Higher Education and Art Evaluation. He also composes for the flute: his piece Jasmine for flute ensemble was published by the independent Danish music publisher Edition Svitzer in May 2022.

PROGRAMME

Bach, Debussy, Jolivet, Mirenzi, Evangelisti, Mizi Tan.